The second go-round between goalie Riku Helenius and Tampa Bay ended abruptly on Sunday when the Lightning terminated his NHL deal for breach of contract.

That move came after Helenius cleared unconditional waivers, a process that would have allowed any NHL team to claim him for the bargain basement price of $125.

Helenius was playing under a one-way NHL deal that paid him $650,000 this season. He loses $160,000 with the termination.

BriseBois would not say what caused the breach but it could have something to do with his refusing to accept assignment to another ECHL team. Helenius had been getting paid to sit inactive in Syracuse while the Lightning looked for such an opening for him.

Thursday, BriseBois said Tampa Bay was close to finding an ECHL roster spot. But Saturday, the Lightning announced that Helenius was put on unconditional waivers for the purpose of terminating his contract.

Helenius was a first-round pick by Tampa Bay in the 2006 draft. He skated for Norfolk in 2008-09 and 2009-10 before going overseas to play in Sweden and then his native Finland.

The Lightning lured him back before the the 2012-13 season with a two-year deal that included the one-way provision this year.

Helenius ended that suspension by agreeing to return to Florida, but that was a technicality. Florida moved on without him, Syracuse didn't need him anymore and he sat idle while BriseBois tried to place him somewhere.

"We were hoping for a different outcome. I'm sure he was as well,'' BriseBois said of bringing back Helenius last year. "I don't think it was a mistake to bring him over. You'll never find out if you don't try.''

In other news on Sunday, Tampa Bay claimed defenseman Mike Kostka off waivers from Chicago. Kostka is a former Lightning farmhand who played on the 2011-12 Norfolk team that won the Calder Cup. He had two goals and one assist in nine games with the Blackhawks this season.

BriseBois said Kostka, a veteran minor leaguer, was claimed to add depth on the blueline in light of injuries to Syracuse defensemen J.P. Cote and Andrej Sustr.

"We've been looking to balance out our right side on D,'' BriseBois said. "We know him. He can fit right in.''

If Tampa Bay wanted to eventually send Kostka to the Crunch, he would first have to clear NHL waivers, If that happened and Chicago was the only team to put in a claim, the Blackhawks could send him to the AHL if they wanted.

Sustr hurt his left shoulder/collarbone area in a loss to Utica on Friday. He returned to that game but sat out Saturday's win at Hershey. BriseBois said he will not play against the Bears today and it's unclear how long he'll be out.

BriseBois said forward Geoff Walker will also sit out today. Walker missed the first two games this weekend with an unspecified injury.